Single-celled fungi are commonly known as yeasts. Yeasts are a diverse group of fungi that primarily reproduce by budding, a process in which a new cell grows off the parent cell. They play a crucial role in various biological processes and have significant applications in food production, such as in baking and brewing.
One of the most notable yeasts is Saccharomyces cerevisiae, often used in making bread and alcoholic beverages. Unlike multicellular fungi, which form structures like mushrooms, yeasts exist as microscopic organisms. Their ability to ferment sugars is what makes them valuable in many industries, converting carbohydrates into alcohol and carbon dioxide in the process.